CAPTAIN ON BOARD: Yep, that’s Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in the front row (second from left, with his left ankle in a walking boot) with his dad at yesterday’s Knicks win at the Garden as Raymond Felton dribbles away from the Timberwolves’ Luke Ridnour. Photo: Reuters

The emerging MVP is ready for the battle of MVPs: Carmelo Anthony vs. Kobe Bryant.

Without Anthony, the Knicks would be lost as their weaknesses are being exposed just in time for their visit with Mike D’Antoni, the Ghost of Christmas Past, tomorrow in Los Angeles.

There is no doubt Carmelo will have the Christmas spirit in the nationally televised matchup against Kobe, premier scorer against premier scorer.

“It’s a big game,’’ an excited Anthony said yesterday after pouring in 33 points, including an amazing 19 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Knicks to a 94-91 come-from-way-behind win over the Timberwolves at the Garden. “It’s a big game for us. It’s a big game for the league. It’s a big game for basketball, period. If we don’t get excited for this game then I don’t know what game we should get excited for. What better game to be playing, kicking off Christmas against the Lakers.’’

The Knicks could use a jolt of Amar’e Stoudemire even for just a few minutes, but Stoudemire is determined to take the most cautious route back from left knee surgery. Stoudemire is not expected to play on the upcoming three-game trip.

The Knicks are undermanned. It is beginning to catch up to them.

The Timberwolves were without Kevin Love (eye injury) and still took the Knicks to the wall, leading by as many as 11 in the second half.

“We had the will to win,’’ Anthony said. “We didn’t want to look back later in the season and look at this as a game we should have won.’’

He made that last comment on the Garden floor then wished the fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year before departing the court to thunderous applause.

Carmelo is the Knicks’ Santa, but he could use some elves to help him out.

J.R. Smith gave the Knicks a lift in the first half as he came off the bench to score 13 points along with five assists. Much of the game, the Knicks were dragging. Anthony said they didn’t have their legs at the start and then the Christmas concert at halftime put them to sleep.

“I love Christmas music,’’ Anthony said with a smile, “but at the time we didn’t have no energy, then they threw the ‘chestnuts are roasting.’ ’’

No one was as hot as Anthony in that fourth quarter. He overcame foul trouble and excelled. Instead of griping to the referees as he has done much of the season, he put all his focus and desire into roasting the Timberwolves.

Still, more help is needed. That is where Stoudemire comes in to play. He probably won’t return until the Jan. 1 home game against Portland — at the earliest — bringing new hope in a New Year. Stoudemire has a flair for the dramatic. You can be sure he wants his return to be a big-time show and he doesn’t want to embarrass himself in any way.

It’s time to come back ASAP, A’mare, and contribute what you can.

“I still feel good about where we are with the standings,’’ coach Mike Woodson said. “All we can do is wait for guys to get healthy, like A’mare, [Marcus] Camby and Rasheed [Wallace].’’

The Knicks crushed the Lakers, 116-107, at the Garden on Dec. 13, but that was when the Knicks were invincible at home. Now life is a little different. Every game is a battle, and they have shown they can be beaten in different ways.

When they win, it is Anthony lifting them to victory. Until the Knicks get back to full strength, he will have to carry that heavy load.

“He’s just playing phenomenal for us,’’ veteran Kurt Thomas told me. “The way he’s going, the sky’s the limit.’’

Woodson said, “It was an MVP performance at the end.’’

It was Carmelo’s early Christmas present to his teammates and Knicks’ fans. And now tomorrow’s game in L.A. is wrapped in a big bow. Enjoy, cheers to all, and may the MVP win.